Discover Top Freelancers in Durham, North Carolina, USA

• Reporter / Journalist

• News Shooter / Video Journalist

charlotte observer prep sports video journalism

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Corporate Videographer

By documenting the stories of activists, organizers, healers and changemakers in over 25 countries around the world, Life has seen first hand the role that storytelling plays in building movements and catalyzing change. As a filmmaker, they’ve created emotional, story driven videos for over 50 social movements and organizations. Life is obsessed with creating and producing stories that change the way we see ourselves, each other and the world. Life is the author of The Starter Guide to Non-Profit Video Storytelling and has been a keynote speaker at TEDxNYU, Google, The Foundation Center, and NYU. Additionally, they have led workshops in Palestine, Uganda, Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Tunisia and the United States. They believes that if we shift our cultural stories – from narratives of inadequacy, separation and inevitability to narratives of wholeness, connection and power – that we truly can create a more just and loving world.

• Documentary DP
• Production Company
• Video Editor - Documentary

With work ranging from long-format documentary to wildly successful viral videos to broadcast spots, Stuart is a Director/DoP whose diverse experience and innate talent allow him to bring a unique style and expertise to any project. Clients request Stuart not only for his ability to vibrantly bring their visions to life, but also for his enthusiastic approach to storytelling and cinematography. Stuart is praised for his interviewing techniques, as he has an uncanny ability to put even the most apprehensive subject at ease. In the same vein, his ability to evoke uniquely genuine and heartfelt responses from both professional and nonprofessional talent alike is a skill rare to find in the field. Stuart's client list includes Audi, Walmart, Capital One, AMC, Bassett Furniture, Geico, Pepsi, HBO and countless others. He is an asset to every project he's involved in and will no doubt continue to hone his talents as he takes on new and exciting creative challenges.

• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Production Company
• Video Editor - Commercial

Sheena Vaught is a filmmaker from southeastern North Carolina. Growing up and having a passion for film and storytelling, Sheena earned a Film Studies degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she learned much about the history of cinema, production and film criticism. Sheena's first film that she wrote, directed and composed was an experimental film entitled Water (2010). Sheena went on to direct two documentaries, Colestine (2011) and God In My Fingers, the latter still being a works-in-progress, screened at the Cucalorus Film Festival as well as the Cultural Spirit Online Film Festival. Having her heart set on narrative directing, Sheena pursued a career as a script supervisor, working on feature films such as Frat Brothers (2013), The Perfect Summer (2013) & Adrenaline (2015) to name a few. As a script supervisor Sheena was able to learn first hand about film directing and is now writing and producing more short films to market herself as a viable director. Her first narrative project, titled The Fervent, completed filming in June 2016. Sheena is currently in development for her newest project Scarlet Reign/

• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Creative Director
• Production Company
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Fixer
• Series Producer / Show Runner
• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - News
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Corporate Videographer

CHERYL NELSON is an award-winning TV Host, Meteorologist, CBM, and Certified Lifestyle/Travel & Natural Disaster Preparedness Expert.  A spirited entrepreneur with two decades of on-camera experience, Cheryl is the founder of Prepare with Cher, a boutique media & preparedness consulting agency specializing in natural disaster, travel and home/family preparedness.  Cheryl has been featured on TODAY, Fox News/Fox Weather/Fox & Friends, News Nation, Fox 5 New York, KTLA, The Weather Channel and more.  Passionate about preparedness, Cheryl frequently shares preparedness tips and contributes to publications such as HuffPost, Travel+Leisure and Martha Stewart.  A proud graduate of Penn State University, Cheryl holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Meteorology with an emphasis in Communications. In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys watching a good Penn State college football game, photography, pilates and traveling.  Cheryl has visited over 40 countries and all 50 U.S. states, and appreciates learning about new cultures.  She is a gluten-free vegan who loves ethnic food and adores animals - especially her four rescue cats. Learn more about Cheryl at www.PreparewithCher.com and follow Cheryl on social media @CherylNelsonTV and @PrepareWithCher.

• On-Air Reporter / Host
• On-Camera Talent
• Audio Storyteller

Bio: Susu Hauser is an award-winning photographer and documentary filmmaker, specializing in telling stories through multimedia. She is known for her ability to capture extraordinary imagery while weaving together impactful narratives that bring awareness to issues and drive viewers to action. After graduating from American University with a B.A. in Visual Media Communications, Susu began her professional career in television with Original Productions on the Emmy Award-winning docu-series, Deadliest Catch. She built a name for herself behind the camera in a highly male-dominated industry, working on other action-oriented television series including Ice Road Truckers, Ax Men, Wicked Tuna, Wild Justice, Chopper Live and Airplane Repo. In 2015, after more than a decade creating content for Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and The History Channel, Susu cofounded The Invisible Lens, a full-service video production company with a mission of creating positive and impactful feature length films. Highlights of this work include a full-length documentary about the undiscovered species in Ethiopia’s Bale Mountain National Park, a cinematic memoir for NASA physicist, George Gloeckler, a short documentary entitled Voices of the Inside Passage which was selected to the 2018 Colorado Environmental Film Festival, a medical docu-series for Detroit’s Top Docs, and innumerable volunteer work with nonprofits across the United States. In 2021, Susu founded her own full-service video production and photography company, Susu Hauser Photography. She has continued her impactful work with local communities and has since produced Dress for Success Triangle's "Women Making Change" fundraising video, as well as, created promotional materials for Sonda Yoga, Living Arts Collective, and the Jonah Garson Campaign. In 2022, she partnered with Photographers Without Borders and Multicolores nonprofits to highlight the empowerment of women through Fair Trade and the artisan market, and has begun field production of her full length documentary "Hands of Change." Although Susu’s personal and professional love of travel has taken her around the world, she currently finds herself enjoying life in Cary, North Carolina with her pup, Kona.

• Event Photographer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Commercial DP
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - Commercial

The Founder and creative visionary behind the Nova Initia concept is Andrew Smith, who serves under the job title of Creative Director. Mr. Smith’s interest in the visual arts traces all the way back to his early childhood - with his mother constantly pushing him towards his dream of gracing the silver screen. He would initially set out on a path towards being an actor, attending the renowned John Robert Powers acting school as a teenager. Mr. Smith then made the transition to behind the camera - where he would discover his true passion for filmmaking and film theory. This would culminate in him earning a B.A. in Visual & Performing Arts from Johnson C. Smith University in 2015, with a concentration in film. Mr. Smith would eventually round out his skill set by developing proficiency in post-production editing. He now possesses an impressive versatility within the filmmaking field; and, having worked in the industry since 2011, is the ideal person to lead our team. His responsibilities with Nova Initia include steering day-to-day operations, editing, financial management, and creative leadership. He loves writing short stories, poetry, music, and more in his free time, and enjoys giving back to his native Maryland community in any way he can.

• Production Company
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Reporter / Journalist
• Post-Production Manager
• Sound Mixer
• Grip
• Sound Designer
• Colorist
• Fixer
• Production Assistant

I am a storyteller. As a child I was drawn to cartoons and comics. As I matured, so did my interests. Through high school I poured my passion into illustration and writing. Once in college I discovered graphic design, animation, videography and editing. This became my new venue of choice for telling stories. I worked for a video production company for 3+ years before making the jump to Capstrat, a great ad agency. After 8+ wonderful years with Capstrat I decided to challenge myself in a new role with Duke University. After 3 years with Duke I have set out to build my own business. I currently enjoy working in these areas: conceptualization, writing, storyboarding, production, design, editing, animation, sound design, illustration, flash and photography. Specialties: Project management (budgets, schedules, staffing), art direction, conceptualization, writing, storyboarding, illustration, design, animation, videography, editing, sound design and flash.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• Sound Mixer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial

I consider myself a proven professional with more than 28 years experience in the broadcasting industry organizing, shooting and completing international and domestic video EFP and ENG projects used for immediate broadcast, public relations, fund raising, and motivational purposes. I've created, directed, edited, shot and lit dramas, documentaries, news features and human interest video productions for a variety of clients in over 20 countries. I've operated state of the art video and audio production equipment, and managed tight production schedules under severe time restraints when working with contributors, celebrities, religious and government leaders. My passion for photography began as a young man in Arizona where I learned to see, compose, experiment, edit, and refine my craft. Videography became a natural extension of photography, both being a way of seeing and understanding the world around me. What can I say: I love to shoot video and take photos.

• Documentary DP

You'll often hear me say: improvise, adapt, adjust and overcome. I live by that motto, so when I wanted to work in video, I didn't have time for formal education. My experience is a little different from other Directors. Just like Quentin Tarantino, I never went to film school. Everything that I've learned is self-taught. By studying the masters, such as Tarantino and my favorite-Stanley Kubrick, I developed a unique style, which has been sought by several Hollywood studios for various TV projects. I pride myself on creating solutions for problems. I found lots of problems in the status quo video production workflow, while working with large crews out of Hollywood. I took those issues and, along with my business partner-Beth Sowell, created a production workflow that was completely unique to this industry. You see, I truly love what I do. The easier that I can make it for our clients, the more clients, with which we partner and thereby, the more videos, 3D animations and product photographs that I get to create. It's so much more than money for me. It's about the experience. After all, life is about experiences. Don't expect me to show up for our meeting with a suit and tie-that's not me. A company button-down, a pair of jeans and some comfortable shoes is what you're going to get. With me, what you see is what you get. The same goes for our crew members. I'm determined to break the average video production company persona, of egomaniacs and power hungry crew members. I'm creating a new organizational culture of down-to-earth, friendly people who view the client as the most important person on set, and who view each crew member as equality important.

• Corporate Videographer
• Production Company
• Commercial DP
• Event Photographer
• Documentary DP
• Fixer
• Production Assistant

Be it photos or video, I love creating content that makes a connection and draws people closer to a better life; one they never thought they could experience. That sounds very grand and magical, but it’s the power that a story holds. At the end of the day, I’m a storyteller at heart. And if you hand me a camera, I will create content that is unparalleled and pushes the envelope to bring your story to life. My brain is set on fire when I think about the endless possibilities and opportunities that we are afforded in this modern, digital age. I’m beyond grateful to not only have a passion that I can share, but one that can actually help people because nothing gets me more fired up than creating something that makes someone’s eyes light up. Bottom line is I love what I do. Being able to help people and businesses succeed and reach their goals through the art of storytelling gets me out of bed in the morning and I can’t wait for the next adventure. Just give me a camera and I’ll do the rest. Testimonials: “Brad is an extremely talented individual. He’s someone that brings a high level of knowledge, skill and creativity to everything he works on. Brad was quick to build trust with me and the team through his consistency, solid attitude regardless of the situation and the level of quality he brought. He’s a true pro, an ideal team player, and an asset to any team he works with or project he’s on." — David D, Creative Director of Video @ Ramsey Solutions “Brad has been a critical player in terms of producing beautiful photo content that highlights the key characteristics of our products. Our website and brand is very photo-forward and having a creative mind like Brad on the team has allowed us to meet and exceed our visual expectations." — Mason H, Marketing Director @ Bullstrap “I had the privilege of getting to know him for over a year while working at Ramsey Solutions — both of us worked on numerous video shoots together as cinematographers. I appreciate the thoughtfulness Brad brings to projects. He is constantly working to grow and improve his skills, and he brought a lot of great ideas to the table to improve our production work both stylistically and in storytelling. I highly recommend Brad to anyone looking for video production, photography or website development. He’s a team player and always has the best interests and goals in mind for every project he touches." — Chad S, Cinematographer @ Ramsey Solutions “I own a small business on Amazon and we hired Brad to take some photos for our products. The photos turned out really good and we’re very pleased. Brad is truly a professional and a great person to work with. He understands photography, composition, and lighting really well and creates amazing products. Furthermore, Brad delivers everything on time and as promised. We will definitely be working with Brad again and would highly recommend him for any product photography!" — Tri D, Owner @ iApricity

• Commercial DP
• Production Company
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Fixer
• Product Photographer
• Digital Content Creator
• Content Strategist
• Social Media Producer
• Corporate Videographer

I am a seasoned multimedia storyteller specializing in video production, editing and motion graphics. I'm currently a Producer at AJ+, where I produce, film and edit stories for In Real Life, a YouTube show about food and social justice. I was most recently a Snapchat Video Producer for WIRED, where I filmed original social video and used Adobe Creative Suite to combine video, motion graphics and animation into several series of ten-second "snaps." Previously, I was WIRED's Video Fellow, and I was responsible for every step of the production process — ideating, scripting, scheduling, shooting, editing, and packaging finished videos about science and technology. I've completed commercial work for large organizations like Fulbright and Global Vision International, as well as produced several documentary shorts independently. I am currently based in Washington, DC and am accepting freelance video and motion graphics opportunities. Let’s collaborate!

• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Fixer
• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Assistant

For over a decade I worked as a freelance cinematographer and producer for National Geographic, Discovery Channel, BBC and The History Channel. In that time, I climbed the ladder from production assistant, to coordinator, to associate producer, to assistant camera, and finally to producer and cinematographer. Having fulfilled all these titles, I am a well-rounded filmmaker. With an insatiable thirst for diverse cultures, exotic lands and exploration, I have honed my cinematography through travel and adventure. As co-founder of The Invisible Lens, a husband and wife production company, I filmed with NASA astrophysicist, George Gloeckler in a memoir highlighting the pioneers of space exploration and rise of the Voyager spacecrafts. With a keen interest in environmental conservation, I spent over a year and a half documenting a large carnivore camera trap survey in Ethiopia’s Bale Mountain National Park. I am one of the first and only filmmakers to capture the elusive Abyssinian lion on camera. Most recently, my short documentary about transboundary mining threatening the integrity of the waters between British Columbia and Southeast Alaska, "Voices of the Inside Passage", was selected to the Colorado Environmental Film Festival. I have a passion for filming and producing impactful stories.

• Documentary DP
• Field Producer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Production Company
• Fixer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Event Photographer
• Corporate Videographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist

I've been in video production ever since I realized in college that I really did NOT want to be an actor/waiter. After getting a BA in Theater, Theater Management with a minor in broadcasting, I went to a local community college to get some hands on experience. While I was there I worked at the PBS station on the school's campus. After moving to Raleigh, I worked at a local television station (WTVD) for a few years before I was recruited by an ad agency (Dusenbury and Alban). As the Agency Producer, I produced over 150 commercials a year for a few years... and then opened my own production oompany in 1985... Franklin Video, Inc. www.FranklinVideo.com I've produced projects for national clients such as America's Most Wanted, A Current Affair, American Inventor, Mysteries of the Bible, McNeill Lehrer, American Academy of Family Physicians, Fonville Morrissey, Greenpeace, Habitat for Humanity, and countless others. I've produced regional and national commercials for clients such as Burger King and Factory Stores of America, as well as local car dealers and everything in between. I've worked with home builders to produce marketing videos: written and produced training videos for companies such as The Orvis Company, Merck Pharmaceuticals, Hospira, Talecris Biotherapeutics, The Pantry, Spirit Aerosystems, Amarr Garage Doors, Bosch Siemens. I have travelled extensively for these clients and more. More recently I've been involved in documentaries. After producing a couple of documentaries for the Wake Forest Historical museum, I just spent 2 years as the Director of Photography with the Director of the famous documentary "Forks Over Knives"​ shooting a feature length documentary "PlantPure Nation" (www.PlantpureNation.com) which was just released nationally in theaters across the country. I Love this business. I get to learn something new every day.

• Documentary DP
• Drone Operator
• Production Company
• Fixer
• Production Assistant

I am an experienced photojournalist and video journalist who recently left a staff position with the St. Paul Pioneer Press in Minnesota to move to Durham, North Carolina and begin a freelance business. I excel at storytelling and have shot and edited about 150 two-minute video shorts for an online news website. I work quickly and collaboratively and can produce high quality video for a variety of clients and news organizations. I have a master's degree in photography from Ohio University and a bachelor's degree in cultural anthropology from the University of Virgina. In addition, during my 27 years with the Pioneer Press and TwinCities.com I attended many professional workshops. I shoot video exclusively with Nikon DSLR's and professional audio gathering equipment. For editing, I use Adobe Premiere Pro. If you navigate to my website, then click on "Video" you can see samples of my work.

• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Documentary DP
• Sound Mixer
• Video Editor - News
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial

I have over 15 years of experience as a photographer, and over ten years as a full-time paid video journalist. I've traveled the country shooting major sporting and new events. My portfolio (www.ghutchphoto.com) showcases the many areas of digital media in which I excel. I have worked for three different television station across the U.S. shooting and editing video. I currently freelance on my Nikon D800 DSLR. I have been hired by several real estate companies as well as Better Homes and Gardens TV for video projects. My real passion is still photography. I shoot mostly real estate and family portraits, but I love nature and commercial photography as well. I have been hired by several local establishments to shoot their products and environments. I consider myself to be versatile and efficient. I love taking on new projects and traveling the world looking for that next "iconic" image.

• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial

With over 15 years of experience behind the camera, Dylan Jaymes is a cinematographer and filmmaker who excels at crafting compelling visuals that genuinely connect with audiences. What sets Dylan apart is his innate ability to deeply understand his clients' goals and objectives, then devise creative solutions that drive meaningful impact. He believes video should never just showcase a product or service, but should provide true value to the viewer. With a client-focused mindset, he guides projects to improve viewers' lives and help them succeed - which in turn, helps businesses thrive. Dylan's diverse client base ranges from solopreneurs to major educational institutions, his favorite sector to collaborate with. Whether filming a commercial, corporate video, or creative short, Dylan brings enthusiasm, strategy, and an authentic voice that cuts through the noise. His portfolio showcases an ability to turn "business as usual" videos into engaging stories that leave a lasting impact.

• Commercial DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Documentary DP
• Creative Director
• Production Company
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Content Strategist

Dave Timko is an award-winning documentary filmmaker with over three decades of visual storytelling experience. In his combined roles as director, shooter and editor, Timko co-created over 40 documentaries for CNN, specializing in first-person narratives of the most relevant stories of our time. He has been recognized for his work with 5 National Emmy Awards, a Peabody and speciality awards for environmental and global health reporting. As an independent journalist since 2012, Timko has been lead producer/director for two public television series, “This American Land” and “Global Health Frontiers,” exploring front line battles to overcome climate change and deadly diseases around the globe. Camera in hand, Timko allows his story subjects to drive the narrative with energetic sequencing and memorable take-aways that take the viewer on a journey from challenge to resolution. Solution-based journalism is a Timko specialty.

• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - News
• TV News Producer
• Field Producer
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Corporate Videographer
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Non-Fiction Film Director